Theophilus Hunter Holmes

<p> The son of a North Carolina governor Theophilus Hunter Holmes graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1829 and served on the frontier during the Trail of Tears. He fought in the Second Seminole War and in the U.S.-Mexican War. In 1859 he became the U.S. Army's chief recruiting officer and was assigned to Governors Island at New York City. Only days before resigning from the U.S. Army he helped organize the naval expedition sent to relieve Fort Sumter from the Confederacy's blockade.</p><p> But then casting his lot with his native state Holmes led a Confederate brigade at First Manassas and a division during the Peninsular Campaign commanded armies in the Trans-Mississippi and organized North Carolina's young boys and old men into the Confederate Reserves. Holmes served with some of America's most notable historic figures: Zachary Taylor Winfield Scott Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. In modern times however he is virtually unknown. The man and the soldier possessed traits of both triumph and tragedy as demonstrated in this biography.</p>